Football blocking trainer

ABSTRACT

A machine for training football players in blocking, with a padded blocking dummy which is movable to simulate an opponent who is dodging. The dummy is mounted on a frame and can be extended, retracted and swung to either side in any combination of moves under the complete control of an operator. The machine is self-contained and the moving mechanical parts are enclosed to avoid injury to players.

United States Patent I Kelley, Jr.

[54] FOOTBALL BLOCKING TRAINER [72] Inventor: Robert E. Kelley, Jr., 1008 Nolbey Drive,

Cardiff, Calif. 92007 [22] Filed: June 3, 1970 21 App]. No.: 43,035

[52] US. Cl. ..273/55 R [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b 67/00 [58] Field of Search ..273/55 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,602,666 7/1952 Burke et al.... ..273/55 R 3,464,696 9/1969 Hooker ..273l55 R [151 3,649,016 [451 Mar. 14, 1972 Spearman ....273/55 UX Perry ..273/55 UX Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Theatrice Brown Attorney-Carl R. Brown [57] ABSTRACT 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Patented March 14, 1972 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ROBERT E. KELLEY,JR.

BY fuzm ATTORNEY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4 INVENTOR.

ROBERT E. KELLEY,JR.

BY Mzm ATTORNEY FOOTBALL BLOCKING TRAINER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In training football players in blocking and tackling, padded dummies are usually mounted on a heavy frame structure which is on skids. Players attack the dummies and develop strength by pushing the frame structure along the ground against the frictional resistance of the skids. By this means the players can learn the positions and techniques for blocking, but the dummies are fixed during the attack. For greater reality it would be advantageous for a dummy to have some range of motion, in the manner of an actual opposing player.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The apparatus described herein has a fixed frame, which is securely mounted on the ground or a suitable supporting base, and contains all the actuating mechanism in a closed protective casing. A padded dummy is attached to a movable frame which slides longitudinally and swings from side to side in the fixed frame. Fluid powered actuators are used to move the dummy in any combination of motions, with controls accessible to an operator. The movable frame rides on rollers for ease of motion and to reduce wear, shock loads being absorbed to a great extent by the fluid powered actuators, which have a cushioning effect. By suitable operation of the controls, the dummy can be made to advance, retreat and dodge to either side in the manner of an opposing player. The action is very realistic and greatly extends the training and response of players.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a new and improved football blocking trainer.

Another object of this invention is to provide a football blocking trainer having a padded dummy which is movable to simulate the action of an opposing player.

A further object of this invention is to provide a football blocking trainer in which motion of the dummy is under complete control of an operator, who can produce any combination of longitudinal and lateral movements of the dummy as a player approaches.

Another object of this invention is to provide a football blocking trainer in which all actuating mechanisms are enclosed for protection of players.

Other objects and many advantages of this invention will become more apparent upon a reading of the following detailed description and an examination of the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like parts throughout and in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the apparatus, with the protective casing removed.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 of FIG. 1, with a control system shown in diagrammatic form.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3. 1

FIG. 5 is a top plan view, on a reduced scale, showing various positions of the dummy.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The apparatus comprises a fixed frame 10, which is secured to the ground or other supporting surface, and a movable frame 12 on which a padded dummy 14 is carried.

Fixed frame has a pair of vertical front posts 16 fixed on a foot plate l8 in spaced relation and connected at the upper ends by a cap plate 20, and a pair of vertical rear posts 22 fixed on a foot plate 24. The rear posts 22 are spaced further apart than front posts 16 and are interconnected by an upper rail 26 and a lower rail 28, parallel to foot plate 24. The front and rear post units are joined into an integral frame by upper side bars 30 and lower side bars 32, which are horizontal and parallel for most of their length and have inwardly inclined forward portions 34 connected to front posts 16. Foot plates 18 and 24 have holes 36 for anchor bolts or the like, not shown, to secure the frame in place. For additional resistance to impact, a sleeve 38 is fixed to the rear of the frame by braces 40 extending from rear posts 22, the sleeve fitting over a pipe or retaining post 42 firmly embedded in the ground.

Movable frame 12 comprises a pair of elongated box beams 44 and 46 joined at the rear by a vertical connecting bar 48. The forward end portion of upper box beam 44 passes between cap plate 20 and a hinge plate 50 fixed between front posts 16, and is pivoted therebetween on hinge pins 52 to swing in a horizontal plane. Lower box beam 46 passes between hinge plates 54 and 56 fixed between front post 16 just above the lower side bars 32, and is pivoted on hinge pins 58 coaxial with pins 52. Upper box beam 44 passes above upper rail 26 and is supported on the rail by a roller 60, freely rotatable in a bracket 62 fixed to the underside of the beam. The lower box beam 46 passes below the lower rail 28 and has a roller 64 in a bracket 66 mounted to ride on the underside of the lower rail. The hinge pins and rollers provide a stable support for the box beam assembly and allow the rear end thereof to swing across the full width of the fixed frame.

Telescopically mounted in box beams 44 and 46, respectively, are an upper slide bar 68 and a lower slide bar 70, joined at their forward ends by a vertical impact bar 72 and braced by a vertical stabilizing bar 74 spaced from the impact bar. The dummy 14 is of conventional construction, with an outer sheath 76 of canvas, leather, or the like, containing padding 78. The dummy is constructed around and secured to impact bar 72 in any suitable manner and covers the forward ends of the slide bars, so that no metal parts are exposed to cause injury to a player.

To ensure a smooth sliding telescopic action, each slide bar has a pair of side plates 80 fixed to and extending rearwardly from the rear end thereof within the respective box beam. Mounted between the side plates is a rear roller 82 riding on the upper wall of the box beam, and a forward roller 84 riding on the lower wall of the box beam to support the cantilevered weight of the slide bar assembly and dummy. Fixed on the forward end of each box beam is a flange 86, to which is secured a stop plate 88. The stop plate has an opening which is a close fit around the slide bar, so that the forward ends of side plates 80 act as stops 92 to limit forward travel of the slide bars.

Longitudinal telescopic motion of the slide bar assembly is provided by a linear actuator 94, shown as a fluid actuated cylinder with an extended piston rod 96. Actuator 94 is secured to a bracket 98 which is pivoted on hinge pins 100 between a pair of hinge plates 102 fixed between front posts 16, hinge pins 100 being coaxial with the box beam hinge pins. Piston rod 96 extends through bracket 98 and is connected to a lug 104 on the stabilizing bar 74.

Lateral swinging motion of the dummy is provided by an ac tuator 106 mounted in a bracket 108, which is pivotally attached to the underside of lower box beam 46 by a pin 110. Actuator 106 is shown as the type which has a piston rod 112 extending completely through the cylinder, one end of the piston rod being pivotally connected to a lug 114 on a lower side bar 32.

The actuators may be hydraulic or pneumatic, a compressed air system having a greater cushioning action which may be desirable. A simple control system is shown in FIG. 2 and includes a pump 116 and pressure reservoir 118, which provide pressurized fluid to the actuators through two-way valves 120 and 122, all components being conventional. Valve 120 controls actuator 94 and has a lever 124 for reversible control action. Valve 122 controls actuator 106 by means of a lever 126. The valves are mounted in or adjacent to the apparatus, for access to an operator who can view approaching players. By operating both valve simultaneously, any combination of telescopic and lateral swinging motion of the dummy can be obtained, as indicated in the broken line position in FIG. 2.

To protect the mechanism and the players, the fixed frame structure is preferably enclosed in a suitable casing 128, portions of which may be padded if necessary. Padding may be particularly desirable on the inclined forward surfaces 130 of the casing, indicated in FIG. 5, since the dodging action may cause players to miss the dummy and collide with the casing. Various positions of the dummy are indicated and motion can be quite rapid over a range of several feet. It has been found that the action is very realistic and causes players to develop intercepting reactions which do not occur with the usual fixed dummy.

Having described my invention I now claim.

1. A football blocking trainer comprising:

a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy,

said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members,

said actuating means includes means for telescopically extending and retracting said beam members,

and means for swinging said beam members about their pivotal connections.

2. A football blocking trainer comprising:

a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy,

said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members,

and said beam members have slidable bar members extending therefrom, with an impact bar interconnecting their extended ends, said dummy being constructed around said impact bar and the ends of said slidable bar members.

3. A football blocking trainer comprising:

a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy,

said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members,

and said fixed frame has spaced upright front posts and spaced upright rear posts, with interconnecting side bar members, said front posts having hinge plates fixed therebetween to which said beam members are pivotally connected.

4. A football blocking trainer according to claim 3, wherein said actuating means includes a linearly adjustable actuator pivotally mounted between said front posts, coaxially with said beam members, said actuator being connected to the telescopic portions of said beam members.

5. A football blocking trainer according to claim 4, and including horizontal rails fixed between said rear posts, said beam members having supporting rollers riding on said rails.

6. A football blocking trainer according to claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes a linearly adjustable actuator connected between one of said side bar members and one of said beam members, spaced from the pivotal connection of the beam member.

7. A football blocking trainer according to claim 3, and including a casing substantially enclosing said fixed frame, said casing having rearwardly inclined side portions on opposite sides of said front posts. 

1. A football blocking trainer comprising: a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy, said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members, said actuating means includes means for telescopically extending and retracting said beam members, and means for swinging said beam members about their pivotal connections.
 2. A football blocking trainer comprising: a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy, said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members, and said beam members have slidable bar members extending therefrom, with an impact bar interconnecting their extended ends, said dummy being constructed around said impact bar and the ends of said slidable bar members.
 3. A football blocking trainer comprising: a fixed frame having means for attachment to a supporting surface, a movable frame mounted on said fixed frame, a padded dummy secured on said movable frame, selectively controllable actuating means coupled to said movable frame for varying the position of said dummy, said movable frame includes upper and lower telescopic beam members pivotally connected adjacent one end to said fixed frame, said dummy being secured to the telescopic portions of said beam members, and said fixed frame has spaced upright front posts and spaced upright rear posts, with interconnecting side bar members, said front posts having hinge plates fixed therebetween to which said beam members are pivotally connected.
 4. A football blocking trainer according to claim 3, wherein said actuating means includes a linearly adjustable actuator pivotally mounted between said front posts, coaxially with said beam members, said actuator being connected to the telescopic portions of said beam members.
 5. A football blocking trainer according to claim 4, and including horizontal rails fixed between said Rear posts, said beam members having supporting rollers riding on said rails.
 6. A football blocking trainer according to claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes a linearly adjustable actuator connected between one of said side bar members and one of said beam members, spaced from the pivotal connection of the beam member.
 7. A football blocking trainer according to claim 3, and including a casing substantially enclosing said fixed frame, said casing having rearwardly inclined side portions on opposite sides of said front posts. 